Richard Henry Gifford “R.H.” was born on January 15, 1933 in a log cabin on Crystal Creek, near Himes, Wyoming to Harvey Leroy and Thenelda (Keele) Gifford. He was raised on the family farm in Deaver, Wyoming graduating from Deaver High School in 1951 being offered a full-ride basketball scholarship to Fledgling North West Community College, which he declined.
After graduating he worked cowyboying and siesmographing in the Lovell area, until he was drafted into the U.S Army in 1954. He was stationed in Germany, where he met his first wife Amalia Habbasatter, in Austria. Their first son, Robert was born in Germany and they traveled over to the United States via ship when Bob was 9 months old. They welcomed 3 more children, Rick, Rod and Karen.
After discharge in 1957, he moved to Glendive, MT where he began his long career in pipelining. The family then relocated to Powell, WY and subsequently Worland, WY. He then ended up in Fairview, MT in 1968 with a few pieces of equipment and the opportunity to start his own business, R.H Gifford, Inc. In 1970 he bought property in Fairview, MT where the business continues to this day.
He married Mary Margaret “Marge” Wentz on June 25, 1976 and to this union Jennifer was born. Also, added to the family was Marge’s son, John.
In 1997 Richard and Marge relocated to Sheridan where they enjoyed retirement and feeding the ducks. They enjoyed many trips to the mountains and the lake. Many of these trips included their granddaughter MacKenzie and she has many stories to tell about these adventures. They moved to the Billings-Laurel area in 2015. His wife, Marge passed away in 2015 and he spent the remainder of his days in the Billings-Laurel area.
Richard passed away on October 11, 2021, at the age of 88, with his family by his side at his residence.
Richard’s greatest enjoyment in life was spending time on the lake and in the Bighorn and Beartooth Mountains fishing and enjoying nature. If you couldn’t find R.H. and Grandpa Joe they were down at the river fishing.
Dad was the hardest worker in the oilfield and the toughest man we all knew. To many Richard may have seemed intimidating on the outside but he was never unwilling to help where help was needed.
A special thank you to Kalon and Ashley Gifford for being with us during this very difficult time.
He is survived by: his sons, Robert (Signey) Gifford, Florida, Rick Gifford, New York, and Rod (Jackie) Gifford, Fairview, MT; step-son, John (Kim) Wentz, Fairview, MT; daughters, Karen (Pat) Rohskothen, California and Jennifer (Cory) Wersland, Laurel, MT; brother, Ronald (June) Gifford, West Virgina; sister, Mary Mohl, Michigan; 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in the death by: his parents; his wife-Marge; sisters, Hazel and Margaret; and brother, Leonard.